England set up a Women’s World Cup quarter-final against Norway after beating Cameroon 3-0 in a remarkable, ill-tempered clash in Valenciennes.
Phil Neville’s side went ahead in the 14th minute at the Stade du Hainaut when Cameroon were deemed guilty of a back pass and, from the resulting indirect free-kick, Toni Duggan teed up a strike by England captain Steph Houghton.
After Ellen White’s finish in first-half stoppage time was ruled out for offside and the decision was subsequently overturned, Cameroon’s players remonstrated at length with the officials and there appeared some doubt over whether they would resume playing.
Their anger then increased shortly after the interval when Ajara Nchout fired the ball into England’s net and a VAR review saw that effort chalked off for offside. The game was held up once more as Cameroon made further angry protests, with Nchout in tears.
Having come through a test that also saw them receive some rough treatment and Duggan being spat on, England will now face Norway on Thursday in Le Havre for a place in the semi-finals.
In the build-up to the match Neville had described Cameroon, who, at 46th in the world, were the lowest-ranked team in the last 16, as “very unpredictable” and few could have anticipated what would unfold here in front of a crowd of 20,148 that included Samuel Eto’o.
It was in unusual circumstances that England then grabbed the lead as Cameroon were penalised for a back pass, with goalkeeper Annette Ngo Ndom having picked the ball up when Augustine Ejangue intercepted White’s cross.
The free-kick that followed saw Duggan, whose arm was spat on by Ejangue just after the incident, roll the ball back from the edge of the six-yard box to Houghton and the skipper fired past the entire Cameroon team and in.
Duggan struck off-target soon after and Gaelle Enganamouit then blasted over England’s goal before the first half concluded in memorable style.
Replays showed White to have been clearly onside, but there was a livid reaction to the decision from Cameroon’s players, who were adamant there had been an error and pointed to the big screen.
It seemed possible they might not continue, before the game did finally get back under way and the whistle went for half-time.
Again there was a lengthy pause to the game as Cameroon appeared unwilling to accept the decision.
Nchout had tears in her eyes as she was comforted by her team-mates and Djeumfa.
After play eventually resumed again, Greenwood’s error at the back was almost punished as Alexandra Takounda brought a save out of Karen Bardsley.
There was yet more VAR drama thereafter, Qin making a pitchside check after Kirby went down in the box under Sonkeng’s tackle, with no penalty given.
The referee then reviewed footage again late on for a possible red card when Houghton was the victim of an awful challenge by Takounda, the final outcome being a yellow card.
